The New Lanark Highlanders: migration, community, and language 1785-c.1850

This paper discussses an example of Highland-Lowland migration in the early stages of industrialization. It addresses origins, timing and quanitity if Highland migration to New Lanark in highlights migratory mechanisms. It explores how Gaelic language and culture, together with religion, were sustained over a considerable period after migration. It notes how David Dale and Robert Owen adopted different attitudes to language. As an inter-disciplinary enquiry it raises new quetions about migration of communities and their maintenance at points of destination. This paper was awared proxime accessit in the David Berry Prize of the Royal Historical Society, 2004